Hoists

What are the hazards associated with hoists?

Fatalities and injuries may occur when hoists are used to lift a load above it's rated capacity, incorrectly, or when it is damaged or malfunctioning. 

What can I do to protect myself?

Unless authorized to be working in or moving through a work area where hoists are being used, employees should remain clear of the area. Never walk under a suspended load.

What resources are available to assist employers?

Safety and Health Programs

Example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions.

Training and Outreach Services

Example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time. In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request.

The NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including a streaming video service) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).

Safety and Health Topics

These safety and health topic pages have additional related resource information on aerial lifts, materials handling and storage, competent person, cranes and derricks, slings, crawler locomotive and truck cranes and overhead and gantry cranes.

Consultation Services

The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.

Which standards apply?

OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to hoists in North Carolina.  This is not all inclusive.

Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic.

General Industry

• 29 CFR 1910.183 - helicopters
• 29 CFR 1910.184 - slings

Shipyard Employment

• 29 CFR 1915.112 - ropes, chains and slings
• 29 CFR 1915.115 - hoisting and hauling equipment

Marine Terminals

• 29 CFR 1917.71 - terminals handling intermodal containers or roll-on roll-off operations
• 29 CFR 1917.116 - elevators and escalators

Construction

• 29 CFR 1926.406 - specific purpose equipment and installations
• 29 CFR 1926.551 - helicopters
• 29 CFR 1926.552 - material hoists, personnel hoists, and elevators
• 29 CFR 1926.553 - base-mounted drum hoists
• 29 CFR 1926.554 - overhead hoists
• 29 CFR 1926.555 - conveyors
• 29 CFR 1926.958 - materials handling and storage. Regulations for crane and hoist signaling will be found in applicable American National Standards Institute standards

Recordkeeping

• Refer to Recording and Reporting

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can also help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.

Where can I learn more?

Industry Guides

• Industry Guide 48 - OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training  provides requirements for standards related to hoist along with other construction standards.
• Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides requirements for standards related to hoists along with other general industry standards.
• Industry Guide 54 - OSHA Marine Terminal Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training highlights the requirements of standards related to hoists at marine terminals.

Compliance Documents

• Memorandum: MRH 01 - Monorail Hoists Enforcement Policies, memo provides monorail enforcement discretion in construction applications. 
• Compliance Directive: CPL 02-00-124 - Multi-Employer Citation Policy provides guidance to Compliance Officers regarding the issuance of citations for employers who exercise control in creating, controlling, exposing and correcting hazards for their employees and those of other employers on site.
• Compliance Directive: CPL 02-01-056 - Accessing Communication Towers by Hoist provides the inspection procedures for accessing communication towers by a hoist.

Technical Assistance

• Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.